Frank Treadway, Sr., helped to save Thomas P. Curtiss, 24, and Betty C., 26, and Robin C. Curtiss, 6 months, from drowning and exposure, Norfolk, Connecticut, August 19, 1955. Floodwaters of the Blackberry River surrounded and demolished the Curtiss home, and the family was carried 2,000 feet downstream to an island rising above the floodwaters 85 feet from the bank. In the channel between the island and the bank the current was 5 m.p.h., and the water was extremely turbulent. Treadway, 43, mason, accompanied police, firemen, and others to the bank opposite the island. He and several firemen climbed a tree near the bank and fastened a 100-foot rope to it. The end of the rope was thrown to Curtiss, who tied it to a tree on the island. A lifeline was tied around Treadway, who then got hold of the rope and worked his way hand over hand toward the island. After he had progressed 45 feet, his legs were caught in the current. He repeatedly was spun around the rope in water at least five feet deep, the lifeline knotting itself about his arms and binding him to the rope. At one turn he was held underwater for almost a half a minute and was injured by a submerged obstacle. A man at the bank cut the rope to free Treadway, who was carried to wadable water near the island. Although badly fatigued, he tied the lifeline to the tree, made his way to where Mrs. Curtiss lay trapped, and freed her from debris. After the floodwaters had receded slightly, five men reached the island from the opposite bank. Firemen improvised a boatswain’s chair from the lifeline, and the Curtiss family, Treadway, and the other men were removed from the island in the chair. Curtiss and his wife recovered. Treadway suffered rope burns and neuralgia and was disabled two weeks. 43578-4013
43578 – 4013
43578-4013